AmericanaFest: Joe Henry and Mike Reid Take Music Fans to Heaven

 By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

City Winery

Sept. 12 (Friday)

Ron Pope went viral on My Space in 2007.  He released four independent albums before signing with Universal Republic, which released two singles. After that, Pope created his own label, Brooklyn Basement Records.  His appeal to the party crowd was evident on the swamp rock numbers “Let’s Get Stoned” and “Nobody’s Gonna Make It Out Alive.”

Joe Henry and Mike Reid met as fellow instructors at a local song camp. Mike started the conversation by asking Henry who his favorite poets were.  They hit it off right away resulting in Henry sending Reid some lyrics.  The next day, Joe received an mp3 of what Mike came up with.  This continued until there was an album’s worth of music. Joe took the original piano vocals and added sparse production. 

The band at City Winery was comprised of Reid on piano, Joe on guitar, a pedal steel player, and Levon Henry (Joe’s son) on tenor sax and clarinet. The music swelled and took me off to another land, reminding me of mid-career Joni Mitchell.  Mike Reid’s seasoned voice was the perfect vehicle for these songs. Heavenly!  I especially enjoyed “The Bridge,” “Life and Time,” “History,” and the huge Reid/Shamblin co-write for Bonnie Raitt, “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”

I could listen to David Nail’s honest and aching voice all night. He sings country like it should be sung, from experience.  He writes or co-writes most of his songs. He’s not afraid to talk about his depression, saying “It’s just who I am.” Highlights of the evening included “Strangers on a Train,” “Let it Rain,” and the new “I Got Everything I Want.”

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AmericanaFest: Ten Things I Loved About the Awards Show

 By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

Ten Things I Loved at the 2025 Americana Music Honors and Awards Show:

·      Maggie Rose performing “No One Gets Out of Here Alive.”  I had not heard of her, incredible voice, great stage presence, I’m in!

·      McCary Sisters winning the Legends Award.  Oh, how I love these women and how I miss Sister Deborah.  They deserve every bit of this recognition.  Followed by a flawless rendition of “What Good Am I.”

·      Jesse Welles singing “War Isn’t Murder.”  This took me back to the ‘60s with his poignant lyrics and traditional fingerpicking.  I was glad to see him win the Freedom of Speech Award later in the show. 

·      The banter between Roseanne Cash and Rodney Crowell as they present a Lifetime Achievement Award to the Old 97’s.  Everyone seemed to enjoy this!

·      I’m With Her performing “Ancient Light.”  I am a fan of Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O'Donovan individually, but together they are amazing.  What a great song.So happy to see it win Song of the Year!   

·      John C. Reilly and his band giving a smooth execution of Tom Waits’ “Picture in a Frame.” I didn’t know he could sing!  What a nice surprise.

·      Nathaniel Rateliff, David Rawlings, and Gillian Welch collaborating on “South of Here.”  They sounded so good together.  Nathaniel won Album of the Year, and Rawlings and Welch won best Duo or Group later on.  Well deserved!

·      Dawes singing “Time Spent in Los Angles.”  First released in 2011, the song took on new meaning after the wildfires in January.  Loved this stripped-down version.

·      Joy Oladokun singing “Letter from a Blackbird.”   Heart wrenching and beautiful at the same time.  I want to hear more from her.

·      Daniel Lanois and Emmylou Harris reuniting for “Where Will I Be” from her album “Wrecking Ball.”  Hard to believe this album is 30 years old. I will always champion an artist who wants to break out and risk trying something new.

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AmericanaFest: Unforgettable Moments from 2025

AMERICANAFEST: “American music is always best when it comes from a mixture of things.” — Rhiannon Giddens (AmericanaFest always has unforgettable moments. This year was all about helping bring people together. My MCAU staffer and I took in a number of shows that dug deep into the various “roots” of American music. My hunger and thirst for authentic, expressive, down-deep singing and instrumentation seemed to grow fiercer with every performance. The McCrary Sisters (at then Gospel Brunch) took us to Heaven with a deeply emotional opening performance of “Amazing Grace.” Legendary songwriters Joe Henry and Mike Reid brought pin-dropping silence, appreciation and tears… especially when performing the tune “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” War and Treaty blew the roof off of the building with groove, dance and soul… and heartfelt testimony. The Carlisle Family (Brandi Carlile kin) offered relaxing, down-home folk in an outdoor setting. Newly IBMA Lifetime Achievement Award-winner Tim O’Brien (with Jan Fabricius) brought smiles and laughs to bluegrass fans young and old. The Isaacs filled the room with heart and harmonies. Musicianship hit the stratosphere. The festival, which celebrated it 25th year, has grown to a whopping 58 venues across Middle Tennessee. There were other festivities, too, including the Commonwealth of Kentucky Party and the Americana Marketplace. Along the way, we had nice conversations with fans from states including California, New Hampshire, and New York. And you are always likely to run into someone you know. I am thankful to have opportunities like this in Music City. Here are a few photos from four straight days of live music and merriment.) #ChuckWhiting #ChucksDiary #RhiannonGiddens #AmericanaFest #Americana #Music #McCrarySisters #JoeHenry #MikeReid #WarandTreaty #TheCarlileFamily #TimOBrien #JanFabricius #Music #Nashville #Arts #MusicCityArts 9-14-25 (Observations and photos by Chuck Whiting, MCAU Editor)

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AmericanaFest: Northern Lights Songwriters Take the Stage with the Help of Brandi Carlile

By Wil Comstock, MCAU Contributing Writer

Wednesday (Sept. 10), Embassy Suites Hotel:

Racing downtown after a meeting, I was sure I would be at the end of a long line waiting to get into the show. You can imagine my amazement when there were only about 20 people ahead of me. 

Surveying those in line, I was surprised to find I was standing next to songwriter extraordinaire, Lisa Aschmann.  Lisa quite literally wrote the book on songwriting, and Hal Leonard published it! It was nice to catch up and fellowship with my friend as we waited for the performers to emerge.

Have you ever been to the Bluebird and seen an exceptional “in the round” or “in the row”?  This is that show on steroids with a whole lot of heart!  Brandi Carlile has a way of building community; she introduces musicians to one another, they become friends, they write together, and they play on each other’s albums.  As Brandi said, “This is what it’s all about, right here on this stage, this is why I do what I do.”

What a joy to watch them cheering each other on. Such was the case when Fancy Hagood performed his new song, “I’m Just a Fool for Your Love.” Brandi watched with her mouth open like a proud older sister.  Killer song. Fancy also played “Dead Set on You” and “Lonely as I Do.” This guy has really grown as a writer and singer over the last few years.

What can I say about Chauntee and Monique Ross (aka SistaStrings)? Adjectives fail me. They are virtuoso instrumentalists, singers, and songwriters. They can play classical, jazz, soul and rock. The result of years of practice and nurturing parents. They had a standing ovation on their first song, “One or a Thousand Times.”  

The beautiful “How Do You Sleep at Night” written with Brandi Clark and Sean McConnell brought me to tears. Crowd favorite “Goodbye” brought the house down again with its funky jazz rhythms and searing vocals. When is their long-awaited album finally going to come out?

Veteran Sean McConnell has written with everyone on the stage. You can tell he’s grappled with the hard questions and wrestled with his demons as you listen to his lyrics. He immediately touches a familiar nerve. He performed two songs from his new album “Skin,” the haunting “Southside of Forever” and “Take it Easy Darlin’” on which SistaStrings add violin, cello and vocals. Sean uses some alternate tunings to get a unique and fresh sound. McConnell had everyone signing on his soulful anthem, “Shine Your Light on Me.” I can’t wait to purchase his new album!

    There were several surprise guests. Brandi Clark came out and introduced a new song she wrote (the folklike “Land of the Free”) after watching the Dylan biopick, “A Complete Unknown.”

 

Monique Ross introduced her daughter, Daelynn, who accompanied herself on guitar to a lovely song that she wrote. This family has talent!

The last surprise guest was the Carlile Family Band with Brandi’s brother, Jay, and his children, JayJ and Caroline. Caroline fronted the group, playing guitar as they harmonized to a number she wrote. These guys can sing; guess it runs in the family!

Carlile gave us a preview of her upcoming album, “Returning to Myself,” with the honest and vulnerable “Turning.” I can’t wait to hear the rest of the album, which will be released on October 24. Everyone on stage joined in on “Letter to my Past” featuring SistaStrings, who added the icing on the cake with their instruments and voices.  

Brandi used to babysit her niece, Caroline (Carlile Family Band), before she became popular. It was hard for her once she started regularly touring; she missed her niece. One birthday, Brandi received a homemade card from 5-year-old Caroline. On the cover she drew an amp and a guitar, and when you opened it, a recording played the child’s voice saying,“I love you, Brandi.” She still has the card!  This was the inspiration for “Caroline, I’m on My Way Back Home to You.” So sweet!  

Nashville’s Theater Bug, a kids theater troop, had the chance to sing for Carlile this week. They learned and sang Carlile’s song, “Wherever is Your Heart.” This was the song that closed the show, with everyone on the stage and in the theater harmonizing as they looked at each other around the room. It can’t get any better than this!  

Footnote: Brandi and Fancy Hagood just performed a benefit concert for Theater Bug at Riverside Revival. The more they give, the more they seem to receive. I sure loved this afternoon’s event.

 

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AmericanaFest: Awards Show Honors Legends and Newcomers at Ryman Auditorium

This story provided by the Americana Music Association

Photos from City Winery’s Viewing Party by Chuck Whiting 

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 10, 2025) — The Americana Music Association celebrated distinguished members of its community on Wednesday night, revealing the winners of the 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at the historic Ryman Auditorium. 

     A world-class group of musical innovators garnered coveted awards, including Sierra Ferrell (Artist of the Year), Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (Album of the Year), I’m With Her (Song of the Year), Gillian Welch & David Rawlings (Duo/Group of the Year), MJ Lenderman (Emerging Act of the Year) and Alex Hargreaves (Instrumentalist of the Year).

    Sierra Ferrell continued her reign as the Americana Artist of the Year with her second consecutive win with the ceremony’s biggest award of the evening. Brandi Carlile presented Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats with the Album of the Year honor for their LP South of Here.

    The triumphant trio of Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan & Sara Watkins comprising I’m With Her was awarded with Song of the Year for “Ancient Light,” written by the three songwriters themselves. Lifelong musical partners Gillian Welch & David Rawlings were crowned as Duo/Group of the Year award.

    After performing at the 2024 ceremony, and his breakout Manning Fireworks album, MJ Lenderman earned the nod for Emerging Act of the Year. Violinist virtuoso and current full-time touring member with Billy Strings, Alex Hargreaves, took home this year’s Instrumentalist of the Year honors.

    Highlights from the evening include John C. Reilly hosting the momentous evening; John Fogerty presenting the Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music award to Jesse Welles, and closing the show with three Creedence Clearwater Revival classics, “Up Around The Bend,” “Lookin’ Out My Back Door,” and “Proud Mary.”; and Emmylou Harris and Daniel Lanois reprising Harris’ landmark Wrecking Ball album with “May This Be Love.”

    Buddy Miller — Americana stalwart, songwriter, musician, producer and Americana “MVP” recipient — returned as musical director for the Americana All-Star Band, featuring Don Was, The McCrary Sisters, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke, and Larry Campbell.

    Old 97’s, Joe Henry, and Darrell Scott all received Americana Lifetime Achievement honors, with each providing stirring performances and moving presentations by Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell and Hayes Carll, respectively. The McCrary Sisters were recognized with the Legacy of Americana award (in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music [NMAAM]), presented by NMAAM Board member and Producer Shannon Sanders.

    Throughout the night, attendees were treated to performances by Dawes, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Emmylou Harris, I’m With Her, JD McPherson, John C. Reilly, Joy Oladokun, Maggie Antone, Maggie Rose, Margo Price, Medium Build, Nathaniel Rateliff, Noeline Hofmann and
Old 97's.

    “What a great night!” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association and Foundation. "We saw the breadth of the Americana community and spirit. This legacy has stood strong for over two decades and will continue for many more to come.”

2025 Honors & Awards Winners:

Album of the Year: South of Here; Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats; Produced by Brad Cook

Artist of the Year: Sierra Ferrell

Duo/Group of the Year: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings

Emerging Act of the Year: MJ Lenderman

Song of the Year: "Ancient Light," I’m With Her; Written by Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan

& Sara Watkins

Instrumentalist of the Year: Alex Hargreaves

The 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards is the hallmark event of AMERICANAFEST week, which continues through this Saturday, September 13.

For more information on the Honors & Awards and AMERICANAFEST, please visit www.americanamusic.org.

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AmericanaFest: Tuesday Night at 3rd and Lindsley Brings Standing Ovation for the Isaacs

By Wil Comstock, MCAU Contributing Writer

Sept. 9 (Tuesday), 3rd & Lindsley

The Isaacs:

Rushing over to 3rd and Lindsley from the BMI Rooftop Party, we surprisingly grabbed a decent seat. Not that I stayed in my seat for long. Once the Isaacs hit the stage, I was on my feet up front near the stage. This group is comprised of matriarch Lily and her three children: Ben on upright bass, Sonya on mandolin, and Becky on guitar. The band is rounded out by the addition of Sonya’s son, Ben Bowan, on guitar. Lily’s parents, who were Polish Jewish Holocaust survivors, moved Lily to New York when she was 2 years old.    

Their tight bluegrass gospel harmonies brought a smile to everyone’s face. They shone on numbers like “Rocks,” Accentuate the Positive,” and Lauren Daigle’s “I Believe.” Ben was featured on a song he penned about the Bible that laid in the back of the drawer, always there when you need it. He’s a great writer. I hope to hear more from him. 

This family closed with an A cappella version of Chicago’s “You’re the Inspiration.” Just heavenly, and something you would expect from a family that has been harmonizing together all their lives.

(The Isaacs perform at 3rd and Lindsley)

 

Darrell Scott:

 

This guy has written songs for Sara Evans, Kathy Mattea, Brad Paisley, and Garth Brooks to name a few. This Kentucky-born, California-raised musician opened with “The Ballad of Martha White.” He is one heck of a blues guitarist. I’ve heard some of his folk ballads but was not aware of his virtuosity playing the blues. Damn! He even did a blues cover of “Folsom Prison Blues!”  

Picking up the acoustic, he asked us to sing along on the beautiful “Hallelujah.” This is the side of Darrell which I especially love. Singing “It’s the Whisky that Eases the Pain” and “Out in the Parking Lot” drew recognition and admiration from the packed house.  

He called his brother Don up to the stage to sing a ballad he wrote about one of the men who used to work for their father, “Uncle Lloyd.” A man who lost his family and treated the Scott boys like his own. Before his closing number, he called two more of his brothers on the stage, Dale and David Scott. The three of them harmonized on “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive,” my personal favorite.

(Darrell Scott performs at 3rd and Lindsley)

 

Charles Wesley Godwin:

 

This West Virginia native had us in the palm of his hand with his first song, “Minor Imperfections.” His comforting straight-forward voice is convincing. This is someone you can trust, someone you’d like to have as a friend. He mentioned he first came to Nashville in 2013, catching a show at 3rd and Lindsley. The first time he played here was in 2021 when 129 people showed up. But when he played at this venue in 2022, it was sold out!  

He treated us to a new song he recorded the day before, the hymn-like “Hallelujah High.” I think he has another hit! Crowd favorites included “Hardwood Floors” and “Family Ties.”  Charles Wesley Godwin has arrived. If you haven’t heard him already, check him out.

(A great start to the festival! Check out our stories, posts and photos on Instagram and Facebook @MusicCityArts, as well as our blog at www.MusicCityArts.net or www.MusicCityArtsUpdate.com.)

(Charles Wesley Godwin performs at 3rd and Lindsley)